What You Need to Know About Mixed Hearing Loss

In this blog, you will learn more about mixed hearing loss, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.

What Exactly is Mixed Hearing Loss?

Mixed hearing loss occurs when there is damage to both the outer or middle ear's ability to conduct sound waves (conductive hearing loss), and the inner ear’s ability to process them (sensorineural hearing loss). In other words, mixed hearing loss has elements of both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. People suffering from mixed hearing loss experience sounds as softer in volume and more difficult to understand than they should be.

Understanding the Signs and Causes of Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss, as with both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, can have many different causes. Some of these causes include:

• Being above the age of 65
• Genetics
• Medications
• Birth conditions
• Earwax
• Ear infections
• Certain diseases

If you are experiencing difficulty hearing or sudden hearing loss, you should have your hearing examined as soon as possible. Significant hearing loss that occurs suddenly is an important symptom that should be handled as a medical emergency by an Emergency Room or Urgent Care. More typical hearing loss, on the other hand, is gradual and often even undetected in its early stages. Here are a few signs to look out for:

• Difficulty hearing on the phone.
• Struggling to understand speech.
• Others complain that you turn the television volume too high.
• Having to as others to repeat themselves often.
• Ringing or other sounds in your ears.
• Difficulty following a conversation if there is background noise.

Can Mixed Hearing Loss be Corrected?

Yes, mixed hearing loss can be treated. Usually, the conductive component of a mixed loss will be treated by a medical doctor; often an E.N.T specialist. Then an audiologist will address the sensorineural component.

Some mixed hearing loss treatment options include:

• Ear wax removal
• Treatment of ear infections or fluid buildup
• Hearing aids
• In more extreme cases, surgery and/or surgically implanted hearing aids.

Is There Any Way to Prevent Mixed Hearing Loss?

Sounds which are above 85 decibels (dB) can negatively impact your hearing and can cause hearing loss. Here are some additional tips to prevent mixed hearing loss:

• Avoid listening to music through headphones or earbuds at high volume.
• Wear earplugs or protective earmuffs if you are going to be exposed to noise at or above 85 dB (typically the volume of a vacuum cleaner or blender).
• Consult your doctor about a baseline hearing test, known as an audiogram, to determine if you have any early hearing loss.
• Reduce your exposure to loud, persistent noises.
• Visit your M.D. or audiologist for ear wax management.

If you are looking for an effective treatment or therapy to manage your mixed hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our expert audiologist, Dr. Chris Hoffmann, today.